In 1987, the New York Times editorial board, of all people, said the best minimum wage would be $0. “The idea of using a minimum wage to overcome poverty is old, honorable – and fundamentally flawed,” it said. “It’s time … Continue reading»

Look around you. Only one of every four adults you see voted to make Donald Trump president. Of course, your mileage will vary depending on where you live, but a quick analysis of popular vote figures compared to newly released … Continue reading»

Whatever may be said of the dismal choices voters face in this year’s presidential election, at least nobody’s running mate got so drunk at a campaign event that he tried to butter a watermelon. That happened in 1872, which could … Continue reading»

How much would you pay in taxes should either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton become president? The question is, of course, not so simple. Either one would need cooperation from Congress to enact his or her plan, so reality may … Continue reading»

Goodbye 15 percent? Or …? When you’re the Libertarian candidate for president, it’s hard enough to be taken seriously, even if you do and say everything right. But in a year when many Americans seem dissatisfied with the Republican and … Continue reading»

That James Buchanan is considered the worst U.S. president ever is hardly a new idea. Earlier this year, the National Constitution Center published a piece on the growing consensus against the 15th president, noting several reasons — he influenced and … Continue reading»

With the price of the Epipen jumping by leaps and bounds, I took advantage of Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s visit to the combined Deseret News/KSL editorial boards on Monday to ask what he thought. Lee, a strong believer in the … Continue reading»

Welcome to my perspectives on the news

Jay Evensen is the Associate Editor of the Deseret News editorial page. He has 30 years of journalism experience covering politics and a variety of other assignments at news organizations ranging from United Press International in New York City to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Deseret News.